In this course, students tackle the challenges of new media head-on by examining the effect of electronic discourse on us and on our culture. Course readings are drawn from popular and academic sources, and we collectively investigate a variety of issues relevant to the study of digital culture and modern society at large. Throughout our investigation of topics ranging from politics, culture, film, the arts, economics, and technology, we return to one central question: what does it mean to write persuasively in an electronic age? While this course assumes no technical expertise on the part of the students, it does anticipate that all class members are ready to experiment with writing expressively, persuasively, and purposefully in an electronic medium. As part of their own practical exploration and application of this new digital form of rhetoric, students experiment with different forms of electronic discourse, inside and outside the classroom; they contribute regularly to an online journal/magazine and maintain an online portfolio; they keep a student blog; they develop effective writing strategies for producing powerful electronic arguments; they participate in an online community experiment. In addition, throughout the trimester, students reflect on their experiences with digital culture, both through a series of oral multimedia presentations and a final research-based culminating piece or composition.
Getting Started
This wiki is where the entire syllabus and resource section for students taking Writing and Rhetoric in the Digital Age.
The discussion forum will be used as part of our regular assignments.
The History Tab will show you what pages have been recently updated and by whom.
Table of Contents
Writing and Rhetoric in the Digital Age
In this course, students tackle the challenges of new media head-on by examining the effect of electronic discourse on us and on our culture. Course readings are drawn from popular and academic sources, and we collectively investigate a variety of issues relevant to the study of digital culture and modern society at large. Throughout our investigation of topics ranging from politics, culture, film, the arts, economics, and technology, we return to one central question: what does it mean to write persuasively in an electronic age? While this course assumes no technical expertise on the part of the students, it does anticipate that all class members are ready to experiment with writing expressively, persuasively, and purposefully in an electronic medium. As part of their own practical exploration and application of this new digital form of rhetoric, students experiment with different forms of electronic discourse, inside and outside the classroom; they contribute regularly to an online journal/magazine and maintain an online portfolio; they keep a student blog; they develop effective writing strategies for producing powerful electronic arguments; they participate in an online community experiment. In addition, throughout the trimester, students reflect on their experiences with digital culture, both through a series of oral multimedia presentations and a final research-based culminating piece or composition.
Getting Started
How to Reach Me
Important Web Links You Need to Know
Course Outline